5 winter tips for Berlin
We recommend: Christmas markets, events, & culture
Yes, winter in Berlin can often be grey and cold. But it's also the time of the year when so much is going on. So here are our top Berlin tips for when temperatures go south. We find that Berlin is worthwhile year-round, and perhaps even more so in winter. Find our tips for the best events in Berlin at Christmas time here.
1) Berlin Christmas markets
Berlin is home to almost countless Christmas markets, ranging from the romantic to urban and even Scandinavian.
You just have to decide what you're in the mood for. Our favourites include:
- Berlns new Christmas market Wintermarket at Schlossplatz in front of the Humboldt Forum
- Berlins most beautiful Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt , currently at Bebelplatz
- Magical lights: Christmas Garden at the botanical garden
- Scandinavian food and Nordic traditions at the Lucia Christmas market at the Kulturbrauerei
- Enjoy a winter walk in the woods Christmas market at Jagdschloss Grunewald
These Christmas markets open as winter markets before the season: These Christmas markets in Berlin open first.
Do you want even more choices. Visit our overview:
All Christmas Markets in Berlin
2) Shopping in Berlin
It's hunting season in Berlin. Hunting for presents, that is. The city is full of shopping centres, markets, and individual design shops and boutiques.
- Berlin's shopping district and shopping streets with individual shops
- Shopping centres with a large selection
- Traditional German Christmas decorations, items from the Erzgebirge in central Germany, and hand-painted products from their own design studios at Käthe Wohlfahrt on Kurfürstendamm
- Merry Markthalle: culinary delicacies
- Holy Shit Shopping: The design Christmas market at Arena Berlin
Don't forget: Advent Sundays 8 and 22 December 2024 are open Sundays in Berlin.
3) Christmas events in Berlin
When it's cold outside, there's still so much going on inside. In Berlin, this means enjoying the massive cultural offerings, whether it's opera, a Broadway or Vegas-style show, concert, or something else. Top events for Winter 2023/24 include:
- the Harlem Gospel Night at the Apostel-Paulus-Kirche in December
- Till Brönner sets the mood for Christmas at the Tempodrom.
- Also at the Tempodrom the Roncalli Christmas Circus enchants the audience.
- A Swinging Christmas mit Tom Gaebel & His Orchestra
- Tips for children: the fairy tale opera Hansel & Gretel by Humperdinck.:
- ans of course the christmas specials and winter shows , like the Stars in Concert Christmas-Special or FALLING | IN LOVE at Friedrichstadt-Palast
Top 10 shows at Christmas time
4) Exhibition Highlights in Berlin
Every day is SPA day
This extraordinary location is waiting to be discovered. Driven by the magic of water and unique architecture, it leaves you with a feeling of contentment, light-heartedness and joy.
Berlin's museums are also gearing up for winter. Next to the Humboldt Forum and the Neue Nationalgalerie you can expect many more Highlights in Berlin this christmas season. We recommend these exciting exhibitions:
- Dream on - Berlin, the 90s at C/O Berlin
- Selfie museums and immersive exhibitions in Berlin
- ANOHA: The children's world of the Jewish Museum
- Dinosaur World in Museum of Natural History
- Ethnological museum and museum for asian culture
5) Cosy restaurants for Christmas dining
Spoil yourself and your family at Christmas time. Go out for a cosy meal together. There are many restaurants in Berlin that prepare special Christmas and holiay menus for you - from vegan festive dishes to fondue and roast goose. Here are our tips:
- Over 200 years of tradition: Lutter & Wegner
- Delicious roast goose: 11 tips
- Great scenery: Restaurant Volt
- For cosy hours by the fireside: 11 tips from our blog
- Tip for a trip to the winter forest: Châlet Suisse
You want even more choices:
All restaurants for the holiday season
Christmas & Holiday season in Berlin
